The Justice Department has asked a federal judge to keep the names of two associates who received significant payments from Jeffrey Epstein in 2018 sealed, citing privacy concerns. These payments, totaling $100,000 and $250,000 respectively, were made shortly after the Miami Herald began publishing stories critical of Epstein’s 2008 plea deal. Prosecutors had previously argued the payments were evidence of efforts to influence potential witnesses, who were also given protection from prosecution in the plea agreement. NBC News requested the names be unsealed due to Epstein’s death and the closure of criminal proceedings, but the Justice Department is defending the associates’ privacy interests.
Read More
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will soon have access to Graphite, a sophisticated hacking tool capable of infiltrating any mobile phone, including encrypted applications, following the lifting of a pause on a contract with Paragon Solutions. Despite the existence of an executive order limiting the use of spyware, ICE’s procurement of Graphite raises concerns due to the agency’s history of civil rights violations. The tool, designed outside the US, allows for tracking, message reading, photo access, and even the manipulation of the phone’s recorder, and has been previously used to target innocent individuals. Experts express concerns about the potential for misuse and the counterintelligence risks associated with using technology from a company that also serves foreign governments.
Read More
A whistleblower alleges that former senior Trump administration officials at the Social Security Administration copied the names, birthdays, and Social Security numbers of over 300 million Americans to a private, less secure cloud environment. This data copy, created within the agency’s existing cloud infrastructure, is accessible to other former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees and lacks sufficient security measures. Career cybersecurity officials expressed serious concerns about the risks, including the potential need to reissue Social Security numbers. Despite these warnings, the data transfer proceeded after the Supreme Court granted DOGE team members temporary access to sensitive SSA data.
Read More
Bluesky blocks access in Mississippi, citing free speech and privacy concerns over age verification law, and this is where we start, right at the heart of the matter. It seems Bluesky, a social media platform, has decided to shut off access to its services for users in Mississippi. Their reasoning? They’re taking a stand against a new state law mandating age verification for online platforms. The core of Bluesky’s argument revolves around two major concerns: the potential violation of free speech and the significant privacy implications of the age verification requirements. It’s a bold move, signaling a commitment to these principles, and it’s already sparking quite the conversation.… Continue reading
The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has issued over 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics, seeking extensive information, including patient data, related to gender-affirming care for minors. These investigations, revealed in court filings, target both states with bans on such care and those with shield laws. Legal experts suggest these actions are part of an effort to build a case alleging violations of criminal statutes and fraud, sparking chaos and confusion in hospitals nationwide. Some health professionals view these subpoenas as politically motivated retaliation intended to intimidate patients and providers, echoing similar investigations by Republican officials in states like Tennessee and Texas.
Read More
YouTube is introducing a new age-verification system in the U.S., utilizing AI to determine viewers’ ages based on their viewing history. The system, which will initially affect a small portion of users, will impose age-appropriate restrictions if a viewer is identified as under 18, including limiting ad personalization and implementing content restrictions. Users can correct any misidentification through various verification methods. This initiative aims to enhance safety, following legal and political pressure to better protect minors online.
Read More
According to a Bloomberg report, the FBI redacted Donald Trump’s name from the Epstein files due to privacy protections, as he was considered a private citizen during the investigation. This action was part of a broader effort involving over 1,000 agents reviewing approximately 100,000 documents, with redactions applied under Freedom of Information Act exemptions, including those protecting personal privacy. Trump’s name was ultimately redacted alongside those of other public figures mentioned in the documents. The files, which reportedly contain unverified information, were then sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who informed Trump of his inclusion, clarifying that mention in the files did not indicate wrongdoing.
Read More
The Trump administration has unveiled a new program enabling Americans to share personal health data across health systems and private tech company apps, with over 60 companies, including Google, Amazon, and Apple, participating. This initiative aims to improve access to health records and monitor wellness, focusing on areas like diabetes and weight management using digital tools. However, this move raises concerns about the security and privacy of sensitive patient data, despite assurances from officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Digital privacy advocates express skepticism about data security, while the government’s involvement, along with limited regulation of health apps, fuels further worry about the potential for misuse of personal health information.
Read More
Following a recent cybersecurity breach, the dating discussion app Tea announced that some direct messages were also accessed. The app, which allows women to anonymously discuss men, previously revealed that thousands of user selfies and photo IDs were exposed. The company stated it is working to identify impacted users and offer identity protection services, while also emphasizing the need for users to consider real-life security precautions. The breach affects users who signed up before February 2024, with approximately 72,000 images leaked in total, including those found in direct messages.
Read More
China is set to introduce a centralized digital ID system that will further solidify its control over its 1 billion internet users. This system, requiring users to submit personal information including facial scans to access online accounts, will allow the government to monitor real identities across various platforms while giving companies less access to user data. Though presented as a measure to protect data privacy, experts fear it will facilitate digital exile and personalized censorship. Critics also worry about increased government surveillance and potential data breaches, despite the system’s stated purpose.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood